Whenever Batman isn't on screen in any DC movie or show, all the other characters have to wonder, "Where's Batman?" That classic scene from The Simpsons ended up being prophetic for many fans while watching The Penguin, the spin-off series set in Matt Reeves' standalone Batman continuity...primarily because never once has an actual appearance of Robert Pattinson's Batman appeared (with good reasonas it turns out). Even so, fans expected a very different debut for Gotham's Dark Knight. As James Gunn ramps up his new, tightly interconnected DC Universe, it's only a matter of time before the most popular masked vigilante of them all hits the big screen again.

However, that moment arrived a little sooner - and in a different medium - than most viewers would have expected. Those who have been keeping up with HBO Creature Commandos, the 2021 animated series sequel to Suicide Squad. were treated to a welcome surprise in the latest episode. While the story mostly deals with the remnants of the DC Rogues Gallery, led by the horribly adorable Weasel and his motley crew of renegades, the show's writing team found the opportunity to hint at the larger franchise around these characters. In the process, they gave us our first official look at the new DC Universe Batman. In episode 6, titled "Friendly Skeleton", a series of flashbacks show how scientist Alexander Sartorius was transformed into the radioactive Doctor Phosphorus (Alan Tudyk). The tragic story ends with the villain captured by none other than Batman.

According to Gunn, this work was one he did not take lightly.

Okay, let's raise our hands here: Of all the places where James Gunn would show up for a new take on Batman for the first time, who had Creature Commandos at the top of their list? While natural landing spots could include a cameo the upcoming Superman movie. or, most obviously, his starring role in director Andy Muschietti's planned film The Brave and the Bold.The Caped Crusader jumped the gun a bit by appearing in the HBO animated series. In a video posted by Rotten tomatoesboth Gunn and Creature Commandos showrunner/executive producer Dean Laurie explained the thought process that went into this decision.

Confirming that this is, indeed, our first look at the DCU Batman, Gunn went on to explain how this scene ended up being cut quite a bit from its original conception:

“When they first gave me (the episode), we saw a lot more Batman. And I was like, 'I'm not ready to commit to that, I'm not ready to commit to that, I'm not ready to commit to that.' So I just went like, "More silhouette, more silhouette, more silhouette." I think it's a great way to show that Batman really exists, he already exists in this universe you don't need to listen to the origin story of (Batman) again it's just a way to represent that Batman is part of this universe, he is an important part of this universe. has an impact on it."

Although we expect many to revolt at the fact that we are still being robbed another gritty alley scene that ends with the traumatic murder of Bruce Wayne's beloved parents for the millionth time in live action, we'll just have to trust that Gunn knows what he's doing here. While we await updates on The Brave and the Bold, Superman will fly into theaters on July 11, 2025.